Speaking to IGIHE, three years after reintegrating into civilian life, Musoni underscored Rwanda’s resolute stance against any recurrence of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and warned of the dangers posed by the FDLR, a terrorist group established by perpetrators of the Genocide.
Musoni emphasized Rwanda’s unwavering commitment to preventing a return to the dark past.
“Rwanda will not tolerate anyone bringing problems back to the country,” he said. “The Rwandan Patriotic Front [RPF] knows how it came to power and the state the country was in. They will neither allow that chaos to resurface nor permit the conflicts of that era to return.”
He stressed that those responsible for the genocide, an imprescriptible crime, face justice, saying, “You can’t commit genocide and expect to roam freely. That’s not how it works.”
However, Musoni urged younger generations born in exile, now in their 30s or 40s, to leave the forests of the DRC and return to Rwanda, their true home. “What are they doing in the forest with no end in sight? They’ll grow old there, and their children will die there. That is not their country—Rwanda is.”
Rejecting claims that the FDLR, often portrayed as a group of aging members, no longer threatens Rwanda, Musoni argued that even a small number of rebels can destabilize a nation.
“Rebels, no matter how few, can disrupt security,” he said, pointing to insurgencies in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso as examples. “The FDLR has proven it can create instability.”
He also highlighted the group’s internal fractures, noting that many fighters have returned to Rwanda, weakening its structure over time. Musoni attributed part of the FDLR’s persistence to its collaboration with the DRC government, which he accused of inconsistency.
“Those still working with the DRC should stop trusting its government—it shifts its stance too often,” he cautioned, urging fighters to return and contribute to Rwanda’s future alongside their compatriots.
Musoni also debunked misinformation spread by some in the Rwandan diaspora, who claim that Rwanda is unsafe and that returnees face oppression.
“No one is oppressed in Rwanda; all Rwandans are one,” he countered. “They will come and live the same life as others. If they ask how things are, they’ll hear the truth: people are living well. In Rwanda, life and development belong to all, and they should join in uplifting our country.”
He noted that ethnic divisions, once a hallmark of Rwandan society, have been replaced by unity and reconciliation—a transformation that surprised him upon his return.
“There’s no longer talk of ethnicity; it’s about being one people,” he said.
Reaffirming Rwanda’s commitment to safeguarding human life, Musoni declared, “Rwanda will never allow a repeat of the genocide. Human life is sacred and must be protected at all costs.”
He called genocide “the most serious crime above all others” and urged those contemplating such acts to recognize the sanctity of life. “It’s a gift from God—we must protect it. No one should say others don’t deserve to live,” he said.
“Once those abroad understand this, they’ll see there’s no discrimination in Rwanda. Different religions coexist, and ethnic labels are gone. Those who divide people by ethnicity don’t grasp what it means to be human.”
